NPR: Preterm Births https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=151861225 Preterm Births en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Tue, 27 May 2025 20:32:19 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR: Preterm Births https://www.npr.org/tags/151861225/preterm-births The U.S. has a high rate of preterm births, and abortion bans could make that worse The rates of premature birth in the U.S. are high, especially in certain states. Experts worry that states restricting abortion have fewer maternal care providers than those with abortion access. Wed, 15 Mar 2023 05:00:22 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/03/15/1163365018/premature-birth-abortion-bans-pregnancy https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/03/15/1163365018/premature-birth-abortion-bans-pregnancy

The rates of premature birth in the U.S. are high, especially in certain states. Experts worry that states restricting abortion have fewer maternal care providers than those with abortion access.

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]]> Sarah Varney Drug To Prevent Premature Birth Divides Doctors, Insurers And FDA Experts An expert panel convened by the FDA says the drug Makena should be withdrawn from the market because a review of its effectiveness shows it doesn't work. But OB-GYNS who prescribe the drug disagree. Fri, 24 Jan 2020 11:23:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/01/24/798731110/drug-to-prevent-premature-birth-divides-doctors-insurers-and-fda-experts https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/01/24/798731110/drug-to-prevent-premature-birth-divides-doctors-insurers-and-fda-experts

An expert panel convened by the FDA says the drug Makena should be withdrawn from the market because a review of its effectiveness shows it doesn't work. But OB-GYNS who prescribe the drug disagree.

(Image credit: Luis Davilla)

]]> Emmarie Huetteman Myth And Reality About Hurricane Risks For Expectant Mothers Research suggests that floods and other environmental disasters can raise the risk for spontaneous miscarriages, preterm births and low-birth-weight infants. Doctors say it pays to be prepared. Wed, 19 Sep 2018 12:36:12 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/09/19/649290426/myth-and-reality-about-hurricane-risks-for-expectant-mothers https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/09/19/649290426/myth-and-reality-about-hurricane-risks-for-expectant-mothers

Research suggests that floods and other environmental disasters can raise the risk for spontaneous miscarriages, preterm births and low-birth-weight infants. Doctors say it pays to be prepared.

]]> Rachel D. Cohen Doula Support For Pregnant Women Could Improve Care, Reduce Costs Doulas provide emotional support for a woman through pregnancy and childbirth. A study finds that women with doulas are less likely to have cesarean or preterm births. Fri, 15 Jan 2016 16:49:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/01/15/463223250/doula-support-for-pregnant-women-could-improve-care-reduce-costs https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/01/15/463223250/doula-support-for-pregnant-women-could-improve-care-reduce-costs

Doulas provide emotional support for a woman through pregnancy and childbirth. A study finds that women with doulas are less likely to have cesarean or preterm births.

(Image credit: Mike Harrington)

]]> Tara Haelle Despite Decline, Elective Early Births Remain A Medicaid Problem The rate for early elective delivery for women covered by Medicaid has fallen since 2007. Still, the early births remain common and are a potential source of health trouble for mothers and babies. Mon, 08 Dec 2014 13:47:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/12/08/369378083/despite-decline-elective-early-births-remain-a-medicaid-problem https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/12/08/369378083/despite-decline-elective-early-births-remain-a-medicaid-problem

The rate for early elective delivery for women covered by Medicaid has fallen since 2007. Still, the early births remain common and are a potential source of health trouble for mothers and babies.

]]> Phil Galewitz Fewer Women Are Having Labor Induced Early Government data show that fewer women are having labor induced before 39 weeks for nonmedical reasons. Advocates say that change is good for the health of babies. Wed, 18 Jun 2014 09:03:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/06/18/322929144/fewer-women-are-having-labor-induced-early https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/06/18/322929144/fewer-women-are-having-labor-induced-early Government data show that fewer women are having labor induced before 39 weeks for nonmedical reasons. Advocates say that change is good for the health of babies.

]]> Katherine Hobson Does Mother's Abortion History Affect Baby's Birth Weight? Researchers from the University of Helsinki found that, similar to previous, smaller studies, having had an abortion prior to giving birth for the first time is associated with a risk of low birth weight or giving birth prematurely. But the risk is very small. Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:34:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/08/30/160308788/does-mothers-abortion-history-affect-babys-birth-weight https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/08/30/160308788/does-mothers-abortion-history-affect-babys-birth-weight Researchers from the University of Helsinki found that, similar to previous, smaller studies, having had an abortion prior to giving birth for the first time is associated with a risk of low birth weight or giving birth prematurely. But the risk is very small.

]]> Julie Rovner In Global Rankings, US Fares Poorly On Premature Births Babies are born too soon at a higher rate in the United States than in 125 other countries. The first worldwide rankings of preterm births show the problem isn't limited to the developing world. Wed, 02 May 2012 13:33:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/05/02/151857350/in-global-rankings-us-fares-poorly-on-premature-births https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/05/02/151857350/in-global-rankings-us-fares-poorly-on-premature-births

Babies are born too soon at a higher rate in the United States than in 125 other countries. The first worldwide rankings of preterm births show the problem isn't limited to the developing world.

]]> Julie Appleby